SEGi recently hosted an unforgettable culinary masterclass featuring the legendary Chef Martin Yan, an international TV personality and iconic figure in the culinary world. Held on 27 May 2025, the event brought students, educators, and industry professionals face-to-face with one of the most charismatic chefs of our time, delivering not only inspiration but real-world industry exposure aligned with global best practices in culinary arts.
The day began with a welcome address by YB Lim Siew Khim, Member of the Penang State Executive Council, followed by an opening speech from the college principal. It was Chef Yan, however, who stole the spotlight with his talk titled “From Village Kitchen to the World Stage”. His storytelling transported the audience through decades of passion, grit, and perseverance, showing what it truly takes to achieve global culinary success.
A live demonstration of Chef Yan’s world-famous knife skills had students on the edge of their seats, blending humour, precision, and deep culinary wisdom in a way that only he could. This once-in-a-lifetime session allowed students to learn directly from a global culinary icon, turning theory into a living, breathing experience. With the hospitality and tourism sectors projected to generate 334 million jobs by 2030 (World Travel & Tourism Council), this type of engagement ensures students are not only learning skills but preparing for real employability and leadership in global markets.
The collaboration marks a defining moment in SEGi College Penang’s education journey—one that merges academic instruction with powerful, real-world opportunities. This aligns with a growing need for institutions to adapt learning environments to reflect professional standards and global industry demands better. According to UNESCO, real-world and experiential learning are essential to achieving SDG 4: Quality Education, ensuring students are not just employable but empowered.
This event also reflects the spirit of SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, as SEGi continues to champion purposeful partnerships that equip students with the confidence, skills, and global mindset to thrive in high-growth industries.
This event is organised in support of the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
SDG 4 – Quality Education
SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
